A month ago I joined the Capel Military Show as a T-34-85 tank crewman. With a full crew, hatches shut, and cannons firing outside, it was a great chance to experience what I've only read about. Watch my latest video for my impressions.
This blog is dedicated to bringing World War II era documents to the general public, with an overall focus on armoured warfare. Questions? Requests? Comments? Email me at tankarchives@gmail.com or find me on Twitter @Tank_Archives.
I think this video is superior to those made by the Chieftain's Hatch on the T-34/85, where Nicholas Moran didn't like the T-34/85, saying it was 'cramped' and complaining of several crew positions. I think Moran's videos, though good in many ways, can suffer as he often is comparing nearly empty German vehicles (like a PzIV that didn't have either ammo or a radio) vs a fully-equipped one like the T-34/85. You went a step further in than he in having yours crewed.
ReplyDeleteI say this as the article you posted showing the interior volumes of tanks (both unequipped and fully-equipped):
https://www.tankarchives.ca/search?q=ergonomics
indicate that there is a large reduction in interior volume once you add ammo, equipment, and crew. Ergo, getting into an empty tank and declaring it spacious compared to a tank full of ammo and equipment isn't a fair comparison. The interior volumes in this post would indicate that the PzIV did not have a ergonomics advantage over the T-34/85.
And as for the video, I would likely think that your fellow crew members were older, stockier, and probably taller than the average wartime T-34/85 crew. And yet you managed.
The first T-34-85 I've been in was empty, it had no seats or floor bins, plus I was alone in it. It was like a banquet hall in there! With ammo, equipment, and people it's definitely a tighter fit, but nothing terrible. I think that Nick who stands head and shoulders above me would have issues, but I ended up the perfect height.
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